Adjustable angle cord grip plug cap



1943- J. A. SUNDQUIST ET AL 2,326,181

ADJUSTABLE ANGLE CORD GRIP PLUG CAP Filed March 18, 1942 'y. 2, za 6%; 52%49 48 i 50 56 5/ 52 a 44 IITIWQ /4 3/ 29 E /0 z i/ m 2 46 INVENTORS Iiii W M ATTORNEYS Patented Aug. 10, 1943 UNITED-STATES PATENT OFFICE at V 7 2,326,181 ADJUSTABLE ANGLE CORD GRIP PLUG CAP John Albert Sundquist, Fairfield, and, Hugo E; Aust, Bridgeport, Conn, assignors to Harvey I-Iubbell, Incorporated, Bridgeport, Conn, a corporation of Connecticut 7 Application March 18, 1942, Serial No. 485,182

11 Claims. (01.13 322).

This invention relates to electrical attachment plug caps, more particularly to such caps havin a cord grip to relieve the strain of the conductor wires on the binding-post screws, and has for an object to provide an improved construction whereby an angular cord grip can be readily adjusted to various angles with respect to the body and the contact blades secured thereon.

Another object is=to provide a construction in whichadjustment of the cord grip may be made through an angle of substantially 360 but which is so constructed that if an adjustment beyond and breakage.

casing l I, preferably of sheet metal formedto fit the body and protect the same against damage It is turned in to form' fianges I2 and [3 at the bottom and top of the bodyso as to be rigidly held in place, and is extended upwardly at M and then inwardly to form a flange l5 spaced abov the top wall of the body. On its lower side the body is recessed for mounting the bases [6 of the blade contacts I1 andl8,

about 180 is desired the wires must be discon- V nected from the binding screws when making the adjustment so that/there will be no danger of damaging the wiring.

A further object is to provide a construction'in which the angular grip may be adjusted and then easily and effectively secured in the adjusted position. 1 i

A further object is to provide a construction in which practically all of the parts may be stamped and formed from sheet metal of suitable thickness.

With the foregoing and other objects in View, we have devised a construction, a preferred embodiment of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification. It is, however, to be understood the invention is not limited to the exact details and arrangement shown but may involve various these contacts being-secured to the body by the .usual means such as rivets I9 embedded inthe material of the body. Each base carries a; binding-pos't screw 20 for connecting the wires 2| to the contact blades. Itwill be noted thatin this particular cap thecontactblades'are arranged in a certain definite relation and may be polarized with one blade, as l8, longer than the other blades. The cap must therefore always be'inserted in the outlet receptacle in the same position relative to this receptacle} 4 However, theattachments to be supplied with current from the cap may be in various locations with respect to the outlet, so that the lead cord may extend laterally from the cap in various directions, it-is desirable that the cord grip may be turned or directed to different directions or angles about the axis of the cap. In the pres- V i cut case an angular cordgr-ip 22 for the cord'23 carrying the conductors 2| is mounted on the body of the cap to turn about its longitudinal axis so th t it may be adiusted to various angles.

changes and modifications within the scopeof V line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a similar view substantially on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the base or body portion with the cord grip and stop plate removed;

Fig. 6 is a bottom plan view of the cord grip and stop plate removed from the body, and

Fig. 7 is an edge view of the stop plate.

The attachment plug cap shown is a cap for a three-wire system to connect various attachments to an electrical wiring system to secure power for operating them, and is intended for relatively heavy duty in garages, factories and similar locations. The cap comprisesa body member ID of insulating material enclosed in a cover or' This grip comprises two members 24 and 25 stamped and formed from sheet metal of suitable gauge or thickness. Themainmember 24 has a top wall 26 extending laterally at an angle to the axis of the body 10 and on the opposite side edges thereof are side members 21 bent downwardly so that the top section is substantially of inverted 'U-shape. The sides 21 are extended downwardly at 28 and at their lower edges are provided with lugs 29 which are passed through notches in the side edges of an opening 30 in a circular base plate 3| and folded over against the underside of this plate. Between the walls 28 is an intermediate wing curved to form a wall 32 extending between the side walls 28 and having alug 33 also extending through a notch in the edge of the opening 30 and folded over on the underside of the plate 3|. These lugs 29 and 33 secure the member 24 to the base plate 3|. The wall 32 may be notched at the lower part of the opposite side edges thereof to receive lugs 34 on the rear edges of the side members 28 to help retain the parts in proper position. The member 24 is stamped flat from heavy sheet metal, an inter 7 base plate 3|. 7 i V The cord grip or clamp'comprisin'g the cord gripping or clamping members 24 and 25 and the base plate 31 is secured to the base-l6 by means *v i the t e plate, 3| ass mediate wing to form the wall 32 being between the wings to form'the side walls 21, 28, and all three wings being integral with the top wall 26. In forming member 24 the intermediate wing is curved to form the wall 32 and the side wings are bent at right angles to the wall 26, making the upper horizontal portion of the member of substantially inverted U-shape in cross section. The wall 32 is of 'suflicient width so that it cver-' l'aps the curved rear edges of sides 28 above the lugs 34, as shown in Fig. 1. The lugs 25 and 33 (see Fig. 6) are narrower than thesides 2 8' and 32 so that there are shoulders on the lower ends of the members 28 and 32 to rest ontop o'f 'the of a swivel plate or washer 35 mounted between the flange l5 on the cover H and the top wall of the insulating body l was to turn relative "to the body. The base plate 3! is connected fwiththe swivel plate 35 by screws 36 extending through the plate 3i a threaded into plate as and 36a. By tightening up these screws the-two platesyoan be-clamped on the fiange 15 which extends between the two plates andactsas a holding means to thus hold thecord grip in the position to which it may have been turned about the axis ofthebody by turning of the plates 3i and 35 relative to the body. p L T limit the relative turning movement orthe cord grip on the body astopplate 31 is mounted 1 between plates SI and SS resting on the top of ei n eili, he cl sp s thou this l l aee iih se ats 3i has g mw en 38.1 a u he o n s vSail t e s ws i lilae P at 1 g t v r q m ai nd t e w Pa s m s i, n tch s 0 at t s d th centric opening ql u in ,the stop plate 3f!.-- The 'r'eenforcements 3811p within the large opening in the flange l5 and are greater in height than d ge ts a ger s o fi t i he S e h s 3-! were omittedthese reenforcementswould then bear on the taper the swivel plate 35 pre- V the swivel plate 35 from clampingthe flange 1 l5. without the stop p ecewise cord-clamp 22 could not be eventednqm turning relativecto the body I i.

lugs 2 and 33 also extend into notches in th s op nin g iiso that as the base plate 3l is rotated w ni t clamp the fstoji plat a? will e rotated with it. This stopplate has two flange portions and 44 extending laterally from the V periphery thereof,- and preferably each flange portion iii-and 44 extends throughout substantially one half of the circumference of the stop pare, These flanges extend inopposite directionsfromga body of the plate and on the diametrically opposite peripheral portions thereof. Thispl'a te may be stampedf-rorn sheet metal suitable thickness ,a nd the flange portions bent laterally therefrom. 1 The opposite ends of these flange portions '13: and cooperate with a stop mg 45 stiuek up from the cover or shell I! on theses wall I4 into the path of movement of the ends of the flange portions. when the plate 311s imposition it willbeseen as these flanges clamp 22, and as the flange 43 extends for about half the circumference of the plate 3'! it will permit turning movements of the clamp 22 to an angle of about 189. The other flange portion is extends upwardly and embraces one side edge of the base plate 35. The plate 37 may be reversed from the position shown in Fig. 1 to bring the other flange portion as to the downwardly extending position to have its end walls 4'! cooperate with the stop 55 to limit turning movements of the stop plate 3'! and the clamp 22, but as the'flange is on the opposite peripheral portion of the plate 37 from the flange 43 this fr'nately the other 180 of vthe circle from that controlled by the flange E3.

The other member 25 of the cord grip or clamp can also be stamped and formed from sheet metal of suitable thickness. It includes side Wings 68 underthe similar wings as extending laterally from the lower edge of the side walls 2'! and is tapped for the clamping screws 56 extending through openings in the wings is. It has a downwardly extending substantially V-shaped central portion 58 to embrace'the lower side of thercord v23. There-may extend from the inner edge of this portion 51 an upwardly and backwardly curved lug 52. As the screws 53 are tightened up the cord 23 will be gripped between the portion formed by the walls 26 and 2?. and the portion 5!. The upwardly turned portion of the lug 52 servesas a stop, preventing the outer casing of the wire from being entered into the clamps too far. This applies particularly to BX or metallic sheathed cable. The backwardly rounded portio-n'of the lug52 provides a smoothsuriace for the conductors as they bendzdownwardly to enter intothe cap. or v V V In eperation, whenit is desirable to adjust the cord grip the screws are loosened, afterwhich the grip and the plate 3 l, together with the stop plate 3l-andswivel plate 35, may be turnedirela tive to the body in either direction through an angle of substantially 180?, this movement being limited by the end wallstoof the flange lfiengagingstop 4E; After the clamp has been shifted to the desired angle or position it is rigidly clamped in this position by tightening rip-the screws 35. However,- as this turning movement is .limited to substantially a half-turn or 180, ifit is desired that the angle clamp be located on the other half of the circle, it is necessary to remove the screws 36. This will permit lifting of the clamp and theplate 3'! from the baselfi and plate 35, as shown in Figs; 5 and 6 The the openings for the screws 35 are ofiset from the diagonal line through the center or axis of the body. The stop plate 37 and the base plate 43 and extend in opposite directions laterallyo from the plate 37 that when in position on the body challenge, for example 53, will extend downwardly and embrace one side portion of the Wall I3, and as the plate rotates the ends 45 of this flange portion may engage the stop 45 to limit turning movements or the plate 31 and the 3! with the clamp are again replaced on the base andthe screws 35 inserted; The clamp may then be adjusted by turning it-in either direction in the otherfhalf or other i sector of the circle anliadjlis'ted to any angle in this half circle, and then secured in this adjusted position by tightemng up the screws 35. It will be Understood thatif the stop flange on the stop plate 31. were made very short the plate could be turned through substantially an entire revolution or nearly 360 before the opposite ends of this short flange engage the stop. Such 'a large turning movement, however, might damage the wiring and therefore the arrangement described was devised to prevent this. 'In other words, as each flange 43 and 44 permits turning of the clamp only about a half revolution or about 180, if it is desired to adjust the clamp onto the other half of the circle or other 180 sector, it is necessary to remove'screws'iifi, reverse the plate 31, turn the plate 35 about a half revolution to align up the opening therein with the openings in the plates 3| and31, and thenreassemble as above described. However, to do this the lead wires must be disconnected from the binding screws and then after reassembling of the clamp on the body the wires areagain connected to the binding screws. this construction is to make the user. remove the wires from the binding screw when making the shift to permit turningor adjustment of the clamp through the other half of the-circle, so that there will be no danger. of his turning the clamp the fullcircle or approximately 360 while the wires are still connected to the binding screws with consequent damaging of the wiring.

Having thus set forth the nature of our invention, what we claim is:

1. A plug cap comprising an insulating body, a swivel plate mounted to turn on the body, a cord grip including a base plate mounted to turn on the body, a stop carried by the body, a stop means mounted to turn with the base plate adapted to engage the stop to limit turning movements of the grip, holding means on the body extending between the two plates, and means connecting the plates and adapted to clamp them on the holding means to secure the grip against turning.

2. A plug cap comprising an insulating body, an inturned flange on the body, a swivel plate mounted under the flange to turn relative to the body, a cord grip including a base plate mounted to turn on the outer side of the flange, stop means mounted to turn with the base plate, a stop carried by the body adapted to cooperate with said means to limit turning movements of the grip, and screws connecting the two plates and adapted to clamp the plates against the flange to hold the grip against turning. I

3. A plug cap comprising an insulating body, an inturned flange on the body, a swivel plate mounted under the flange to turn relative to the body, a clamp having a base on the outer side of the flange adapted to turn relative to the body, a stop carried by the body, stop means mounted to turn with the base adapted to engage said stop to limit turning movements of the clamp, and clamping means connecting the base to the plate and adapted to clamp them on the flange to hold the clamp against turning.

4.. A plug cap comprising an insulating body, a cover on the body having an inturned flange spaced from the body, a swivel plate mounted to turn between the flange and body, a cord grip having a base mounted to turn on the outer side of the flange, a stop means mounted to turn with said base, a stop on the cover adapted to cooperate-therewith to limit turning movements of the grip, and means connecting the base and swivel plate adapted to clamp them at opposite Therefore, a result secured by sides of the flange to hold the grip against tuming. 4.1,-

5; A plug cap comprising an insulating body, a cover on the body having an inturned flange on the top thereof spaced from the body,a swivel plate mounted to turn between the b'odywand flange, a stoplug on the cover, a cord clamp including a base plate on the outer side of the flange and mounted to turn relative to the body, a stop plate mounted between the baseand the flange to turn with the base, said step plate having a flange extending throughout a part of its periphery and adaptedto engage saidstop at its oppo site ends to limit turning movements of the clamp, and screws connecting the base and swivel plate and adapted to clamp them on the first flange to hold the clamp against turning.

6. A plug cap comprising an insulating body; a cover enclosing the body having an inturned flange on the top thereof spaced from the body, a swivel plate mounted to turn between the body and flange, a stop-lug on the cover, a cord 'clamp including a baseplate on the outer side of the flange and mounted to turn relative to the body, a stop plate mounted between the base and the flange toturn with the base, said stop plate having a flange extending laterally from its peripheryand for about one-halfof its circumference, a second flange on said stop plate extending laterally in the opposite direction from the first .flange and for substantially the remainder of the circumference, the opposite ends of one flange being adapted to engage the stop lug to limit turning movements of the clamp and the stop plate being reversible to bring either flange into position to engage said lug, and screws connecting the base and swivel plate and adapted to clamp them on the first flange to hold the clamp against turning.

' 7, A plug cap comprising an insulating body a swivel plate mounted to turn on the body, a cord grip including a base plate mounted to turn on the body, a holding means on the body extending between the two plates, 2, limit stop on the body, a stop plate mounted between the base plate and the holding means to turn with said base plate, said stop plate having stop flanges extending laterally therefrom on opposite sides thereof and each extending for only a portion of its circumference, said step flanges being each adapted to engage the limit stop at their opposite ends when the plate is in a given position to limit turning movements of the grip, said stop plate being reversible to bring the different flanges to limiting position, and means connecting the base and swivel plates adapted to clamp them on the holding means to hold the grip against turning.

8. A plug cap comprising an insulating body, a cover enclosing the body and including an inturned flange spaced above the top of the body,

a swivel plate mounted between the flange and body for turning movements, a cord grip including a base plate mounted at the outer side of said flange, a stopplate mounted between the base and the flange and having a pair of stop flanges extending laterally therefrom on opposite sides thereof and located on diametrically opposite peripheral portions of the plate, said stop plate and said swivel plate having similar eccentric'ally located openings requiring turning of the plates approximately a half revolution relatively to each other to bring them into alignment on reversal of the stop plate, a stop on the cover to be engaged by the ends of the stop between the base plate and the flange to turn with the base plate and having stops extending laterally therefrom in opposite directions on diametrically oppositev peripheral portions of the plate, said latter stops being arranged so that one may engage the first stop'when the plate is one side up and the other may engage the first stop when the plate is reversed to bring the other side up, screws connecting the base plate and swivel plate andadapted to clamp the plates on the flange to hold the grip inadjusted positions, and said screws being located laterally of a diag onalline through theiaxis of rotation so that when the stop plate is reversed this plate and the swivel plate must be turned a half revolution relative to each other before reassemblin'g.

10.-A plug .cap comprisingan insulating body, an inturned' flange on the body, a swivelplate mounted under the flange to turn relative to the body, a cord grip including a base plate mounted,

to turn on the outer side ofthe flange, screws connecting the two plates and adapted to clamp the plates on the flange to hold the grip against turning, said grip being formed of sheet metal including a central and two side Wing portions, the central portion being curved to form a top and side wall at an angle to each other and the side portions extending at right angles thereto, lugs on the lower ends of the wing portions extending through the base plate and folded over on the underside thereof to secure said member to the plate, a clamp plate, and screws on the first grip member connected with the clamp plate to clamp a conductor cord between them.

11. A plug cap comprising an insulating membar, a cord grip comprising a.- member formed plate.

from sheet metal including a central and two side wing portions, thecentral portion being curved to form a top and side wall at an angle to each other and the side portions extending at right angles thereto to form a substantially JOHN ALBER'l SUNDQUIST! HUGO AUST. 

